192 The Agricultural Features of the Paris Exhibition. 
As a lot, the Belgian Shorthorns were hardly up to the mark. 
Many of them were plain, narrow, and lanky, wanting in flesh 
and substance. A Belgian exhibitor, however, M. Mathieu, 
Thourout, West Flanders, had the credit of beating Lady Pigot, 
and of heading the prize-list, in the young Shorthorn bull class. 
Only three bulls competed, however, and none of the three was 
above average merit. In the old bull class, which was only a 
degree more creditably filled than the young one, Belgium 
claimed the third and fourth prizes, as also an honourable 
mention. The strength of the Belgian Shorthorn muster lay in 
the cow class ; and we were not surprised that the Belgian 
Jurors were dissatisfied with the awarding of the five prizes 
to English cows. It was perfectly clear that England deserved 
all she got — all that was available in the class ; but, naturally 
enough, it was discouraging to Belgians that for their contingent, 
numbering close on thirty animals, they had been adjudged 
nothing higher than an honourable mention. They accord- 
ingly petitioned for three supplementary prizes, specially for 
Belgian cows, which the French authorities, with most com- 
mendable liberality, at once granted. The British and other 
Jurors cordially joined the Belgians in this petition, believing 
that the spirit and enterprise shown by Belgian farmers in 
bringing out so many of their pure-bred cattle deserved recog- 
nition. Though lacking character and substance, a few of the 
Belgian Shorthorn cows exhibited evenness, fine bone, and fair 
quality. It is obvious that great improvement might be effected 
in the Belgian Shorthorns by the introduction of more of the 
best English blood. Good British bulls put on the present 
breed of Shorthorn cows there, together with a little more 
liberal feeding when the animals are growing, would impart 
symmetry, substance, wealth, stamina, and quality to the 
animals. 
The tenth Section in the Foreign Division, " Breeds of the 
Polders and Low-lands of the North, not comprised in the pre- 
ceding Classes," was filled almost exclusively by Belgian cattle. 
About one-half of the animals in the Section, 16 in all, were of the 
Flemish breed, which will be more fully noticed hereafter.' Only 
one young bull appeared, and he was not thought worthy of a 
prize. In the old bull class, which was composed of four 
animals, the first prize was withheld, the second being awarded 
to a little black bull, three years and six months old, with spotted 
muzzle, white stripe in the face, short black buffalo-looking horns, 
thick, clumsy neck, strong forearm, moderately fine bone ; 
owned by M. Roberti, Paris. The third prize went to a Flemish 
bull from Belgium, a monster in size, with massive crest, coarse 
bone, uneven form, dun colour, and short black-tipped horns. 
